Description:
Smooth octagonal barrel slightly swamped at the muzzle, with somewhat rough bore in 15 mm calibre, dovetailed front sight and brass rear sight decorated in fine relief (not original?). At the muzzle silver rocaille and gold band inlays engraved and decorated in relief, with en suite ornaments near the rear sight. At the breech chiselled, engraved rocaille decoration and silver appliqués with mirrored cypher "CC" and Charles Albrecht's portrait in profile. The tang also decorated with gilt ornaments (of later date?). Flintlock richly chiselled and engraved with rocailles and figures depicted in hunting scenes, underneath the frizzen spring signed "JOS NIES IN MINDELHEIM", frizzen with replaced cover. Elaborately carved full stock with brass furniture decorated in relief and engraved. Patch-box lid, fittings on the cheek piece and side plate with hunting scenes, trigger guard with depiction of Diana and cherub between rocailles and scrollwork. The plate of the richly decorated butt cap with Bavarian coat of arms in partly blued iron with gold inlays. Stock with light traces of age and use, minor repairs in the area of the butt plate, underneath the lock plate and on the left of the forestock. Wooden ramrod with brass tip. Length 79 cm. Josef Nies (1688 – 1677) was doubtless one of the best gunsmiths to the court of the Bavarian territorial rulers. Only few of his weapons are preserved to date. These preserved items were primarily intended for Charles VII Albrecht. Cf. also: Hayward, "Die Kunst der alten Büchsenmacher" (tr. "The Art of the Gunmaker"), vol. 2, 1660 – 1830, p. 79f. and Heer, "Der Neue Stöckel", vol. 2, p. 872. Charles VII Albrecht war born in Brussels and from 1726 to 1745 was Charles I Elector and Duke of Bavaria. After the death of Emperor Charles VI he also laid claim to the Archduchy of Austria and the Kingdom of Bohemia. He was unable to enforce these claims, but from 1742 to 1745 he occupied the German imperial throne as Charles VII.